Artificial-limb suspender.



No. 644,464. Pat ented Feb. 27, 1900.

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ARTIFICIAL LIIIIB SUSPENDER.

(Application filed July 15, 1899.)

(No Model.)

FlG.2.-- FIG.3..

WITNESSES: INVENTOH l I 4 B) a WM,

NITED STATES JAMESF. ROWLEY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ARTIFICIAL-LIME SUSPENDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 644,464, dated February27, 1900. Application filed July 151 1899- Serial No. 723,928. (Nomodel.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES F. ROWLEY, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, and a resident of the city of Chicago, in the county of Cookand State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Artificial-Limb Suspenders, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to suspenders forartificial limbs, and hasparticular reference to the attachment for operating the leg below theknee-joint.

The main object of my invention is to provide an improved arrangement ofsuspenders whereby the wearer can straighten the limb or move theleg-section forward by a movement of his shoulders or body and whichwill support the thigh-section in proper position upon the stump of thewearer, either when his body is in a stooping position or in an erectposition. I accomplish this object by the device illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a front elevation of a limband suspenders constructed according to my invention. Fig. 2 is a sideelevation of same. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation, and Fig. 4 is a sideelevation, showing the leg bent backwardly below the knee-joint.

The suspender consists of the front shoulder-straps 1 and 2, the rearshoulder-straps 3 and 4, the loop 5, connecting the straps 1 and 3, theloop 6, connecting the straps 2 and 4, and the members 7 and 8,slidinglyengaging said loops and secured to the leg-section 9.

The thigh-section 15 is provided with guides 10 and 11, through whichthe loops pass. The members 7 and 8 are flexible straps, each having alink or guide 12 pivoted thereto at 13 and pivoted to the thigh-sectionat 14.

The members 7 and 8 are provided at their upper ends with loops 16,loosely engaging the loops 5 and 6, so as to permit the free slidingmovement of the latter. The loops or guides 10 and 11 likewise looselyengage the loops 5 and 6, so as to permit a free sliding movement ofsame. The straps 7 and 8 are pivotally secured to the le -section 9 at17. The loops 5 and 6 are secured to the shoulderstraps by the hooks 18.

The operation of the device is as follows: hen the wearer stands in anerect position,

the shoulder-straps, through the loops 5 and6, will draw upwardly on themembers 7 and 8 and thereby pull the leg-section toward the forwardlimit of its pivotal movement at 19 on the thigh-section. This positionis shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. When the wearer bends forward slightly orlowers his shoulders or raises the thigh-section, as in the act ofwalking, the shoulder-straps will cease to draw on the members 7 and 8,thereby permitting the leg-section 9 to move backwardly on its pivotalcenter at 19. To straighten the leg-sec tion or bring same forward toits former position, the wearer need only straighten'his body or raisethe shoulders, so as to draw on the members 7 and 8.

In any position of the leg the free forwardand-backward movement of thebody is not interfered with, since the loops 5 and 6 will slide freelythrough the guides 10 and 11 and through the loop 16. The purpose of thelinks 12 is to prevent the members 7 and 8 from moving too far towardeither side; but, as will be seen, their pivotal connection permits afree up-and-down movement of the upper parts of said members 7 and 8.

It will be seen that the details of construction of the different partsshown may be altered in numerous ways without departing from the spiritof my invention. I therefore do not confine myself to such details.

I am aware of patent to Reichenbach of January 12, 1864, and do notclaim the construction therein shown.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,-is- 1. The combination of an artificial limb comprising a thigh-sectionand a leg-section, pivotally connected together, a suspender comprisinga loop slidingly connected to the leg-section independently of saidpivotal connection and adapted to pass over and be supported on theshoulder of the wearer, and guides on-said thigh-section slidinglyengaging said loop; all arranged to swing the legsection forward on itspivotal connection, through an upward tension on said loop.

2. The combination of an artificial limb comprising a thigh-section anda leg-section, pivotally connected together; a suspender comprising astrap secured to the front of the leg-section and extending upwardlyupon the thigh-section, movable thereon, and a loop slidingly engagingsaid strap and adapted to pass over and be supported on the shoulder ofthe wearer; and guides on the thigh-section slidingly engaging saidloop; all arranged to swing the leg-section forward on its pivotalconnection, through an upward tension on said loop.

3. The combination of an artificial limb comprising a thigh-section anda leg-section, connected together by a knee-joint; a pair of guides onthe thigh-section; a suspender,comprising a loop passing through saidguides, and slidingly engaged thereby, and connected to the leg-section,independent of said joint connection, at a part of said loopintermediate of said guides; the upper end of said loop being adapted topass over and be supported on the shoulder of the wearer.

4. The combination of an artificial limb comprising a thigh-section anda leg-section, connected together by a knee-joint; a pair of guides onthe thigh-section; a suspender,comprising a loop passing through saidguides, and slidingly engaged thereby; a strap connected to theleg-section, independent of said joint connection, and engaging saidloop at a part intermediate of said guides; the upper end of said loopbeing adapted to pass over and be supported on the shoulder of thewearer.

Signed by me at Chicago, Illinois, this 13th day of July, 1899.

JAMES F. RO\VLEY.

Vitnesses:

JOHN D. BARKHURST, WM. R. RUMMLER.

